Waste Disposal Practices among Residents of Calabar South Local Government Area, Nigeria

Improper waste disposal practices have become a major issue globally, with significant environmental and health implications. The study examined waste disposal practices among residents of Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State-Nigeria. Mixed method research was adopted, data were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. Three hundred and ninety six questionnaires were administered to residents in the 12 wards of the study area, the coordinates of the location of the dumpsters were captured and recorded. Data collected were statistically analyzed using Pearson Correlation and ANOVA, the results shows that there is a correlation between population and designated waste disposal sites in the study area with a P-Value 0.109 and Calculated Value of 0.486 the null hypothesis1 was rejected. Similarly, with (F-Value 1.64, P-Value 0.90) the null hypothesis2 was equally rejected, which indicate that there is significance difference in waste disposal practices by residents of the various wards. It was recommended that synergy among Agencies and Ministry of Environment is expedient to provide facilities needed to dispose waste by residents. Effective environmental enlightenment campaigns and enforcement of sanitation regulations/laws are required to ensure residents compliance to dispose their waste appropriately.